Sudan backs Trump-led mediation initiative on Nile water dispute

Sudan’s Sovereignty Council chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said his country welcomes and supports an initiative by US President Donald Trump to mediate talks over Nile water-sharing, Asharq Al Awsat reported on January 17. 

Burhan described the initiative as a step toward sustainable and mutually acceptable solutions.

In a post on X, Burhan said the Sudanese government backs Trump’s proposed mediation on the Nile to preserve the rights of all parties and help ensure long-term security and stability in the region. His comments came after Trump said the US was ready to resume mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over the long-running dispute on Nile water use. In a message addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and published on Truth Social, Trump said Washington was prepared to help reach a “responsible and final” agreement.

Egypt and Sudan fear that Ethiopia’s GERD will drastically reduce their vital water supply, especially during droughts, threatening Egypt’s agricultural survival and Sudan’s dam safety. The two countries are demanding a legally binding agreement on the dam's operation to prevent unilateral control by Ethiopia, while recent sudden water releases have already been blamed for devastating floods in Sudan

Trump praised El-Sisi’s role in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza and said the US understood the strategic importance of the Nile to Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. He argued that with transparent negotiations, strong US monitoring and technical expertise, a lasting deal could be achieved that ensures predictable water releases during droughts for Egypt and Sudan, while allowing Ethiopia to generate large amounts of hydropower.

Egypt and Ethiopia have been at odds for years over Addis Ababa’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, which Egypt views as an existential threat. Cairo has repeatedly said negotiations have reached a dead end, while tensions have occasionally spilt over into wider regional concerns, including flooding in Sudan linked to dam operations.

Sudan’s endorsement signals renewed regional backing for external mediation aimed at breaking the impasse over one of Africa’s most sensitive water disputes.